Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has returned to Nepal after a significant official visit to Spain, marking a milestone in strengthening international ties and advocating for sustainable development. Landing at Tribhuvan International Airport on July 4, 2025, at 3:45 PM, Oli was welcomed with a guard of honor and greeted by senior officials, including Deputy Prime Minister Prakash Man Singh and Foreign Secretary Amrit Bahadur Rai. His journey from Madrid via Doha, Qatar, concluded a week-long trip filled with high-level engagements, bilateral talks, and efforts to boost Nepal’s global presence. The visit, which began on June 28, was centered around the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development (FFD-4) in Seville, organized by the United Nations.
The FFD-4 conference, held from June 30 to July 3, was a global platform where leaders, financial institutions, and civil society discussed mobilizing sustainable finance for developing nations. Oli, leading a 21-member delegation, played a pivotal role in representing Nepal and advocating for least developed countries (LDCs). He emphasized the need for immediate and long-term investment to support small and vulnerable nations in the post-pandemic era. His address at the conference highlighted Nepal’s commitment to global financial reforms and its role as the chair of the international coordination of LDCs. The event provided an opportunity to amplify the voices of small island nations and secure commitments from wealthier countries for development aid.
Beyond the conference, Oli’s visit was packed with diplomatic engagements. He held bilateral meetings with world leaders, including Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, UN Secretary-General António Guterres, Estonian President Alar Karis, Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Kamal Madbouly, and Portuguese Prime Minister Luís Montenegro. A notable highlight was his courtesy call on King Felipe VI of Spain, which underscored the strengthening of Nepal-Spain relations. These interactions aimed to foster cooperation in areas like trade, investment, and tourism. Oli also met Tanzanian Vice President Dr. Philip Mpango during a brief stopover in Doha, discussing ways to enhance Nepal-Tanzania relations.
Oli’s visit wasn’t limited to formal meetings. He connected with the Nepali diaspora in Spain, urging them to return home and contribute their skills, experience, and capital to Nepal’s development. At an interaction hosted by the Overseas Nepali Forum at the residence of Nepali Ambassador Shanil Nepal in Madrid, Oli encouraged the community to invest in Nepal’s growth. He also addressed political speculations, reaffirming his commitment to hand over leadership to Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba as per their coalition agreement. His engagement with the diaspora highlighted the importance of their role in nation-building and fostering economic growth.
A unique aspect of the visit was Oli’s focus on economic opportunities. In Madrid, he addressed a business interaction organized by the Embassy of Nepal and the Spanish Chamber of Commerce and Industry. He pitched Nepal as one of the most investment-friendly destinations in South Asia, citing its political stability, open-market policies, and competitive workforce. Oli emphasized ongoing legal reforms to improve Nepal’s investment climate, inviting Spanish investors to explore opportunities in sectors like tourism and infrastructure. The visit is expected to boost foreign investment and attract more European tourists to Nepal’s natural and cultural attractions.
Oli’s itinerary also included a visit to the iconic Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, home of Real Madrid, where he met with club officials. This visit aimed to promote Nepal’s tourism potential by leveraging Spain’s global influence in sports and culture. Additionally, he explored the renowned Prado National Museum in Madrid, showcasing his interest in strengthening cultural ties between Nepal and Spain. His inspection of the Nepali Embassy in Madrid further emphasized Nepal’s growing diplomatic presence, as the embassy, established in 2018, serves the estimated 20,000 Nepalis living in Spain, primarily in agriculture, hospitality, and construction.
The visit builds on a history of Nepal-Spain relations, which began in 1968. Previous high-level exchanges include King Birendra’s visit to Spain in 1983 and Spanish King Carlos’s visit to Nepal in 1987. More recently, former President Bidya Devi Bhandari’s 2021 visit led to agreements on climate change and tourism cooperation. Spain, a global tourism hub attracting over 125 million visitors annually, offers Nepal a chance to tap into the European market. In 2018, 19,563 Spanish tourists visited Nepal, a number expected to grow as Oli’s visit promotes Nepal’s natural beauty, spiritual heritage, and adventure tourism.
Oli’s delegation included key figures like First Lady Radhika Shakya, Chief Advisor Bishnu Prasad Rimal, and Finance Secretary Ghanshyam Upadhyay, reflecting the visit’s importance. His efforts to sign Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) on bilateral cooperation are set to enhance economic ties and open new avenues for collaboration. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs noted that the visit has elevated Nepal’s visibility as a tourism and investment hub in Europe, paving the way for stronger partnerships.
The Doha transit on his return journey was seamless, with Oli traveling via Qatar Airways. Upon arrival in Kathmandu, he was greeted with a warm reception, including a guard of honor by the Nepal Army. While Oli did not address the media directly, Foreign Secretary Rai shared a press note detailing the visit’s success, from bilateral talks to cultural engagements. The visit is seen as a step toward positioning Nepal as a key player in global development discussions and fostering international partnerships for a prosperous future.
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